The Problem

There is no bookstore or news stand on the island of Luta (Rota) where we live in the US Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).  Three thousand people can't access books.  The local people, who are mostly poor, desiring books, spent all their tax dollars to build a library.  Just after completion, a super-typhoon hit our island heavily damaging the never-used library, which stands empty now.  Unlike other populations, our native islanders rarely have credit cards and do not shop online.  The few books that do make it here are loved almost to death. Though the local schools have extremely modest one-room libraries, the students often run out of reading material and the adults have no place to go.

What accompanies a life without literacy is a life without power or dignity.  We believe that everyone deserves the chance to help themselves.  We believe in this island and in these people.  Given a place in which to read, write, or even to make other kinds of art, we believe our islanders will quickly gravitate towards such a haven.

Our Goal

Now we are building an inventory of used books, DVD's, and magazines to create an independent bookstore uniquely designed to serve our people - using a low cost subscription fee.  GypsyFaith's Two Sisters Bookstore, named for two local matriarchs, Auntie Nita and Auntie Tita, will offer our island people unlimited use of books for a $5 per month subscription fee.  

We are currently looking at purchasing a run down oceanfront hotel that would offer the space and the place for people to read, write, and make art in beauty and peace.  Please consider supporting this effort.  We are also in the midst of securing non-profit status, but the application process takes a little time.  For now we are placing all donations into a savings account aimed at buying the foreclosed hotel and turning it into a lively community center focused on literacy of all kinds.

Our Revolution

For four years now we have been less and less quietly, intentionally provoking a revolution - teaching local children and adults enormous amounts of collegiate vocabulary words, inciting in them an awareness of what illiteracy does to, and what it costs, people of color.  Our little sixth graders brag about words like nabob and deliquesce.  Our adult teachers tease family members by showing off their newly acquired vocabulary.  The practically empty, libraryless college here has proud students who can spell and define extraordinarily difficult words.  We have also been doing provocative public speaking which is frequently televised and then replayed endlessly in our little island nation - catalyzing both desire and indignation for the purpose of marketing highly literate living.  We assault illiteracy every day.  Our work has created the slow burning fire ready to ignite; now.  Now, now we need books so that we can do what is really only possible on a tiny, isolated place - we can change things here forever.

Get Involved - Build a Bookstore

If you wish to help us, send us your used books that are in good readable condition. Your donations will form the core of the subscription "library" that will be available for unlimited use.  Your donations will not be sold.

Please mail your donations by USPS Media Mail as most other shipping companies do not service Luta (Rota). USPS Priority Mail flat rate boxes are also effective, but more costly. USPS Media Mail (surface) takes four to six weeks to reach us (depending on the arrival of ships from the west coast). Priority Mail (air) takes about a week to reach us (depending on connections to and from Hawaii).

Time is not an issue for the receipt of your books.  Please use USPS MEDIA MAIL for your shipping!  The USPS rates for Priority Mail are much higher.  Please save your money and use USPS MEDIA MAIL.

Send us your used books, most especially children's picture books, popular adult fiction, guy-friendly nonfiction, self-help, and literary fiction.  Please send us current titles if possible, and classics of all genres. 

The whole purpose of our matchbook company is to evangelize the profound pleasure and liberating power of reading.  We exist, we live, to build this bookstore for our people.  Watching our used book inventory grow is a tremendous joy for us and we would love to share the process with you.  We will add your name to the growing list of bookstore contributions. Mail your donations to  the address below.

A USPS customs form, available at the Post Office, is required.

Send your book donations via USPS Media Mail to:

Aimee Steiner
P.O. Box 511644
Rota, MP 96951
USA

Make a donation via PayPal to help us acquire a physical space for our bookstore.

Send personal checks or money orders payable to Aimee Steiner at the above address.

GypsyFaith
P.O. Box 511644
Rota, MP 96951
USA

pinck.steiner@gmail.com